Feed mechanism for stapling machines



1943. w. G. PANKONIN I FEED MECHANISM FOR STAPLING MACHINES Fild July 1,1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Wax/am Q Pe/v/roM/M film w. W

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 16, 1943. w. G. PANKONIN 2,311,412

FEED MECHANISM FOR STAPLING MACHINES Filed July 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY.

Feb. 16, 1943.

Filed July 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORN EY 1943- w. e. PANKON!N2,311,412

7 FEED MECHANISM FOR STAPLING MACHINES. I

Filed July 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR QQ Mum/n a. Pfi/Y/mM/MATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 16, 1943 FEED MECHANISM FOR STAPLING MZAOHINES William !G.Pankonin, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 1, 1940, Serial No. 343,880

Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in stapling machines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a stapling machinehaving a magazine and feeder mechanism for preformed staples wherein thefeeder mechanism is retained in associated relationship with themagazine during the loading thereof, thereby preventing misplacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stapling machine of neatand simple appearance, adaptable for use a desk type stapler, as a handheld plier type stapler, and as a tacker device.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by constructing the staplingmachine of elongated arms pivoted at one end of each by a single pintle.One arm forms a base for the support of the other arms and also carriesa staple clinching anvil. Two other arms, an operating arm and amagazine arm, are interrelated to form a staple storing and drivingmechanism. This driving mechanism is operable by moving the operatingarmrelatively toward the magazine arm. This occurs whenever the motion ofthe magazine arm is arrested by the base arm or material being stapled.The base arm and operating arm are designed and dimensioned so thereinwithout clinching by merely pressing downwardy on the operator arm.

In order to retain the feeder mechanism in associated relationship withthe magazine during loading, the staple follower is made slidable on anendless follower rod. The follower rod has an upper leg slidably held ina retaining bracket positioned within the magazine. Slidably positionedon the follower rod between the retaining bracket and the forward end ofthe follower are a series of pointed blocks which act to urge thefollower rearwardly along the lower leg of the follower rod as the rodis moved rearwardly. Thus the follower is removed from the magazinewhile the inner end of the rod still remains held by the retainingbracket;

Another way to retain the feed mechanism in associated relationship withthe magazine during loading consists in providing the staple followerwith a pivot pin which has sliding and 5 pivotal engagement with curvedfrictional slots formed in the lower end of the magazine. Thisarrangement permits the feeding mechanism to 'be withdrawn from themagazine a sufficient amount so that the follower rod may be swung 1oupwardly withdrawing the follower from the magazine. The frictionalengagement of the slot combined with an abutment removably butpositively retains the feeder mechanism in this latter position.

The novel features, which are considered characteristic of theinvention, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Someof the features disclosed herein are also described and claimed in theapplication of William G. .0 Pankonin, Serial No. 387,006, filed April5, 1941.

The invention itself, however, both as to its 01'- ganization and itsmethod of operation, together with additional objects and advantagesthereof, will best be understood from the following description of aspecific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a stapling machineembodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view in side elevation showing a staplingmachine embodying the present invention, the section line meanderingfrom the center plane to a plane just inside the side wall of themagazine arm and back to the center plane again for sake of clarity;

Figure 3 is an exploded view in perspective showing the various partscomprising a stapling machine embodying the present invention;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary views in perspective showing the notchesin the base to accommodate the novel riser;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the novel riser;

Figure 7 is a sectional view in side elevation showing a staplingmachine with a modified form of feeder mechanism embodying the presentinvention, certain parts being shown in full for the sake of clarity;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view of the staplefollower illustrated in Figure 7 shown in position for disassembly ofits retaining pivot pin:

Figure 9 is a sectional 65 8-4 of Figure 8:

view taken on the line Figure is a view identical with Figure 9 showingthe retaining pivot pin removed from the stapler follower;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the loading endof the staple magazine, taken on line llll of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is an enlarged. fragmentary, sectional view of the loading andstaple magazine with the staple feeding mechanism removed;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the staplingmachine of Figure 1 with the follower rod and staple follower positionedin staple loading position;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a modification of theloading end of the staple magazine;

Figure 15 is a sectional view in side elevation showing the staplingmachine embodying the invention with the staple follower unit inretracted position;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the staplingmachine embodying the invention with the operating arm swung upwardlyfrom the magazine arm;

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 ll-ll of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the riser; and

Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the foot-plate associatedwith the riser.

Referring now to the drawings, the stapling machine generally comprisesan operating or presser arm I overlying and interrelated with a magazinearm 2 and a base arm 3, which latter is adapted to support the staplingmachine. These arms are all pivoted about the same axis The basearm 3comprises an elongated, in-. verted, channel-like member which carriesat its forward end a staple-clinching anvil 5. The anvil 5 has twodifferently acting clinching cavities, and is shiftable forwardly andrearwardly of the arm 3 to aline a selected one of the clinchingcavities with the ejection chute. A spring 6, extending between thedownwardly extending ends of the anvil 5, has an upwardly bowed portionwhich bears against either side of a downwardly projecting ridge 1 tourge and maintain the anvil 5 to and in one of its selected positions.At its front and rear ends the base arm 3 is provided with rubber footpads 8 and 3. Intermediate its ends the base arm 3 is narrowed, as isevident from Figure 3, to permit it to be readily grasped in the fingersof the operator's hand when the stapling device is used as a piier-typestapler. At the rearward end of the base member 3 there are provided twoparallel spaced slots l0 and I I piercing the upper surface thereof. Asupporting bracket 12 has a web portion 13 positioned below the surfaceof the base arm 3 and two upwardly extending flanges and [5 extendingthrough the slots l0 and ii, respectively. The web portion is spotweldedor otherwise fastened to the base arm 3 to secure the bracket l2 inposition. At the -upp'er'ends of the flanges I 4 and ii there are alinedapertures which receive the nutted pinties 4a-and 4b.

The web l3 of the supporting bracket I2 is provided with an aperture It,the outline of .which is substantially H shape, as is shown in Figure 5.The upper surface of the base arm 3 is provided with an aperture 11,which is cross riser housing (also described andclaimed in theapplication of William G.'Pankonin-, Serial No. 387,005, filed April 5,1941) having a crown top II and foot portions I! (only one of which isshown) fits within the apertures l5 and I1 and extends above the surfaceof the base arm I. The foot portions I 3 engage the under side of thecorners of the aperture I! to prevent the riser from passing completelythrough both apertures. Inside the riser housing there is positioned acompression spring 20 which bears against a foot plate 2|. The'footplate 2l' fits within the sides of the riser housing and has olfsetswhich engage the upper surface of the irregular edges of the apertureIt. The foot plate 2| is assembled by inserting one end upwardly throughthe apertures l5 and I1, compressing the spring 20 sufficiently topermit the other or following end of the foot plate 2| to enter throughthe apertures i6, whereupon the entering end may be partially withdrawnso that the foot plate assumes the position illustrated in Figure 6.This riser has a pivoted motion permitting fore and aft movement of thecrown top l8 thereof as it is compressed by the operation of thestapling machine. This prevents a frictional wear arising between thecrown top II and the bottom of the magazine arm 2. The riser can bedisassembled by moving the foot plate upwardly, compressing the spring20, withdrawing one end of the foot plate out through the aperture i6,and permitting the other end to follow therethrough, whereupon both theriser and the spring 20 may be removed downwardly through bothapertures.

The bottom of the base arm 3 has a cover plate 22, held by a tightfrictional grip to the inner surfaces of the edges of the base arm 3.The cover plate 22 is co-extensive with the-nab row portion of the basearm 3 and furnishes a smooth portion which is easily grasped in thehands of the operator when the device is used as a plier-type ofstapler.

The magazine arm 2 has'a laminated core 23 upon which the staples S ridein straddle fashion, as is indicated in Figures 2 and 3. Foldedlongitudinally about the forward end thereof is a housing member havinga front wall 24 and side walls 25 and 26. Each of the side walls has abottom portion bent underneath and secured to the bottom of thelaminated core 23. The side walls are spaced from the sides of the core23 to form a guide for staples on the core 23. The front wall is spacedfrom the front end of the core 23 to form an ejection chute throughwhich stapes are driven. The top edges of the side walls 25 and 26 areprovided at their forward edges with upward projections 21 and 28 whichare adapted to limit the relative movement between the operating orpresser arm I and the magazine arm 2. At the rearward edge of theseprojections there are rearwardly projecting teeth 29 and 30 offsetoutwardly from the side of the respective walls and adapted to interlockwith spring-biased clips to prevent the operating arm l'from separatingfrom the magazine arm except at the will of the operator. At therearward end of the sides 25 there are pintle brackshaped in outline, asshown in Figure 4, and is ets 3i and 32 having apertures in their upperends adapted to receive the nutted pintles 4a' and 4b. Staple guides 33and 34 are inserted within the confines of the walls 25 and 26. and aresecured thereto by small flush rivets or other suitable means. Theguides 33 and 34 have lower inwardly projecting flanges 35 and 36, whichare spaced from the top of the staples riding on the core 23. At theirforward ends guides 33 and 34 are of greater height, and their cornersare beveled at 31 and 38 to provide an easy entrance for thestaple-driving tool carried by the operating arm On the upper edges ofthe guides 33 and 34, in-

termediate the ends thereof are locks 38 and 4|! to detachably hold theretaining bracket for the and, 3) comprises an endless follower rod 43.

formed with upper and lower legs joined by curved ends. The followermechanism is also described and claimed in the application of William G.Pankonin, Serial No. 387,004, filed April .5, 1941. The follower rod hasslidably positioned on its upper leg a retaining bracket 44. The bracket44 is of inverted U shape in cross section and has its opposite sidespierced to slidably receive the rod 43. The lower edges of the retainingbracket 44 are bent inwardly and are resiliently held in position.bracket is locked in place in the locks 39 and 40 by being forceddownwardly over the locks until the lower edges snap in place around thenecked-out part thereof, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. A staplefollower or pusher 45 of conventional design, and having a lower portionadapted to ride on the core 23,.1s slidably positioned on the lower legof the endless follower rod 43 by means of a small bracket havingopposite sides pierced to slidably fit on the rod. Between the bracket44 and the rear end (or the I right side as viewed in the drawings) ofthe follower 45 is positioned a coiled, compression spring 46 encirclingthe rod 43 and extending around its rearwardly curved end so as toextend along both upper and lower legs thereof. The

spring 46 is split at its upper run a short dis- .tance from theretaining bracket 44, and is spaced at this split by a sleeve 41 whichis slidably mounted on the rod 43, and is adapted to be engaged by aspring clip-positioned on the under surface of the operating arm I. Aseries of force-transmission blocks 48 are slidably positioned on thefollower rod 43, and extend between the forward end of the retainingblock- V the rod 43 while transmitting compressive force one-to theother. The rear end of the follower rod 43 is provided with a handle 49and latch The handle 49 is made up of two symmetrically but oppositelydesigned parts, which when placed together loosely fit around the end ofthe rod 43 withthe spring 48 assembled thereon. j The end of the handle49 has the same curvature as the end of the rod 43. Within the handle 49ispositioned a cylindrical spacer thimber 5!! having a curvatureapproximately the same as the inside curvature of the spring as itpasses around the curved end of the rod 43. The parts are held inposition by an alining spacer 50a and by the thimble 80. At the loweredge of the handle is there is a tooth s1 adapted to'detachablyinterengage with a notch 82 cut in the upper surface of therear end of the core 23. The spring 48 freely slides around the rear endof the rod 43 within the confines of the handle 43.

.It is preferable to form the rod 43 of square stock and to pierceslightly larger square or rectangular holes in the retaining bracket 44,the

bracket on the follower 45, and the blocks 8. This prevents the blocks48 from twisting out of alinement and assures that their slopingsurfaces will make-proper contact as they slide around the curved end.However, it is permissible to form the rod of round stock. In suchevent, bead-like members may be substituted for the blocks 48. Also, atightly coiled, fully compressed spring maybe substituted in lieu of thebeadlike members or blocks to accomplish the same The retainingprojecting finger at its top edge which protrudes results, namely thetransmission of force around a. curvature of approximately 180 degrees.

' Thefollower mechanism, shown in Figures 7 to 13, inclusive, comprisesa follower rod l5 having a reversely curved outer end. slidablypositioned on the follower rod i5 is a staple fol lower 18. The staplefollower 16 has the conventionally designed inverted U-shaped lowerportion adapted to ride on the core 23 of the magazine. The upperportionof the staple follower has forward and rearward walls which arepierced to slidably receive the staple follower rod 15. Side ears Ilaand Nb are provided on each side of the upper portion of the staplefollower; These earsare pierced to receive a pivot pin 18, the purposeof which will be hereinafter described. The forward edges of the ears11a and 11b are provided at their upper comers with a curved portionadapted to slidably engage with the driving tool 59 afterthe last staplehas been elected and thereby prevent damage to the follower. The pivotpin 18 is .provided with a centrally located surrounding notch 79. Thisnotch is engaged by a struck-up portion 88 formed on a. retaining spring8| positioned within the upper portion of the follower 18. The retainingspring 8| is generally formed in U shape, having a rearward legengageable with the rearward wall of the upper portion of the staplefollower and a forward. leg projecting upwardly in substantial alinementwith the apertures in the side ears-Ila and llb. The legs of the spring8| are pierced to slidably receive the follower rod 15. The forward legof the spring 8| has a upwardly through an elongated slot in the topportion of the upper part-of the follower 16. The spring 8| istensionedso that the forward leg is urged forwardly against the pin 18when the latter is inserted in the ears 11a and 11b.

Positioned .on the follower rod 15, between its curved outer end and thefollower, is a coiled compression spring 83. The spring 83 is ofsufflcient length and compressive elasticity to urge the follower l6forwardly along the rod 15 to the ejection .chute. end of the magazine.A headed screw84 positioned on the inner end of the follower rod 15prevents the follower 18 from bea follower rod 15 the spring 83 iscompressed along coming disengaged from the follower rod I5. Uponremoval of the screw 84 the follower rod and spring may be disassembledfrom the rod. When thefollower I6 is moved rearwardly of the the.reversely curved outer end, thus permitting the follower to be movedrearwardly to substantially the loading end of the magazine. The end ofthe rod at its reversely curved end is pro vided with a washer 85rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means, such as friction fit,welding, or riveting. The washer 85 prevents the spring 83 from passingbeyond that end of the rod. A housing-like handle 86 is provided for thecurved end of the follower I5. It is comprised of two symmetrically butoppositely designed dished out parts having an outline shape somewhatsimilar to a snails shell. When the parts are positioned together thehandle has a projecting portion which loosely surrounds the straightportion of the follower rod 15 and a main portion surrounding the curvedend. Centrally of the main portion of the handle 86 each part isprovided with an inwardly facing buttonlike projection. Thesebutton-like projections engage with each other to form acentral axiswithin the handle about which the curved end of the follower rod and thecoiled compression spring are guided. By reason of the shape and theloose engagement between the parts of the handle and the spring 83 onthe curved outer end of the follower rod 15, the handle 86 is maintainedin position without affecting the movement of the spring around thecurved end. One of the parts comprising the handle has formed thereon adownwardly depending tooth 81, which engages with a notch 52. The partsof the handle 86 are held together by a nut and a screw 88. When thetooth 81 is positioned in the notch 52 the handle holds the rod I5within the housing of the stapling machine a sufiicient distance topermit staple follower 16 to exhaust the magazine of staples,

The top edges of the side walls 25 and 26, and the top edges of guides33 and 34, are provided with notches 88a and 8811, which are inalinement with the horizontal line of the path of travel of the pin. I8within the magazine. When the handle 86 is unlatched the follower rodand follower may be removed rearwardly until the pin I8 is in alinementwith the notches 88a and 88b. In such position the spring 8| can bedepressed and the pin removed laterally from the follower I6, as isindicated in Figure 10. It is, of course, understood that during thisoperation the arm I has been released from its engagement with the arm 2and swung upwardly, permitting access to the staple follower 16 and itsassociated parts.

As is shown in Figures 7, 11, and 12, the rearward end of the stapleguides 33 and 34 have an enlarged portion which is inwardly offset anddie-cut to provide upwardly curved slots 98a and 99b. The entering edgeof the slots are in alinement with the path of travel of the extendedends of the pin 18 when the latter is positioned in the staplev followerI6. Positioned between the side walls 25 and 26, and the inwardly offsetend portions of the guides 33 and 34, are flat pieces of spring metalhaving tensioning tongues Iona and IIIIIb cut therefrom and biased toproject into the slots 99a and 89b. The inwardly offset portions of theguides 33 and 34 are provided with outer edge formed in bevel fashionoutwardly into contact with the inner surface of the sides 25 and 26 topermit of easy access to the loading end of the magazine. Smallabutments Na and Nb are formed on the inwardly offset portions of theguides 33 and 34 within the arc of and adjacent the slots 88a and 99b.These abutments engage the top surface of the upper portion of thestaple follower I6 when it is in staple loading position.

In lieu of the spring metal tongues I060. and ,IOIlb, the slots 99a and99b may be provided with notches 99c and 58d at their upper ends asillustrated in Figure 14. These notches'engage the ends of the pin "I8,and in connection with the abutments IIIIa and Illb hold' the staplefollower and rod in the staple-loading positionshown in Figure 13.

In this modification, the presser arm I, magazine arm 2, and base arm 3may be pivotally held together by means of a pin I02 surrounded by abushing spacer I63. The pedestals 4| and 42 4 need only be sufllcientlyhigh to permit clearance for the staple'follower. Extending between thepedestal 4| and the top inner side of the presser arm I is acoiledcompression spring I05 held in alinement by a centering stub I04secured to the inside upper surface of the presser arm I.

In the instrument shown in Figure 1, and in the instrument shown inFigure 7, the operating arm I (see Fig. 3) is formed of a single pieceof sheet metal folded about the forward wall 63. The side walls extendrearwardly from the'forward wall 53 and have their upper edges inturnedand Joined by tongue and groove means, indicated at 54. At the rear ofthe arm I the sides are pierced to receive the nutted pintles 4a and 4b.The arm slidably fits over the magazine arm 2 and both are pivoted tothe flanges l4 and I5 by the pintles 4a and 4b. The rear portions of thesides of arm I are offset inwardly at the rear and slide against theinner surfaces of the flanges I4 and I5. There is suflicient clearancebetween the walls 25 and 26 and the walls of arm I to accommodate theshanks of the clips 65 and 66 therebetween. The bottom edges of thefront and side wall of the arm I are I peened inwardly, as indicated inFigure 2. A

pair of springs 55 and 56 are positioned within the confines of the armI and are frictionally held on guides secured to the under surface ofthe arm. They rest against the upper surfaces of the pedestals 4| and42, respectively, when the operating arm I is in operative position.These springs resiliently urge the operating arm I away from themagazine arm 2. A spring clip 61, adapted to detachably grasp and holdthe sleeve 41, is soldered or otherwise secured to the top inner side ofthe operating arm I adjacent its rear end. At its top forward end theoperating arm I is provided with a slot 58 adapted to receive aprojection on the driving blade 59. A latch arm 60 is provided with aforward extension 60a adapted to pass through a crescentshaped slot inthe top of the blade 59 and enter into a similarly shaped slot 6| in thewall 53 to hold the driving blade 59 in theslot 58 and in abutmentagainst the inner surface of the top of the operating arm I. A smallcompression spring 62 is positioned between the inner surface of theforward wall 53 and the driving blade 58. Th spring 62 urges the blade58 against the shoulders formed at the base of the extension 60a andthereby flexibly maintains the blade in alinement with the ejectionchute defined by the wall 24, the forward edges of the staple guides 33and 34 and the beveled corners 31 and 38. The latch arm 60 is retainedin position by a pin 63 (Figs. 2, 15 and 1'7) having thereon acompresion spring 64 fitting within a semi-circular hump in the latch60. Th pin 63 is in turn retained in position by the action of two clips65 and 66 of identical construction except that one is right hand andthe other is left hand. The clips 65 and 66 are positioned within thearm I and have at their upper end small flanges fittable within slots6'|68 cut in opposite sides of the operating arm I near the frontthereof (see Fig. 17) The spring 34 resiliently maintains the smallflanges on the clips 85-86 in position within the slots 68, therebylocating the pin and clips with respect to the operating arm I. Theclips 35 and 33 are provided with teeth 69-10, which normally engagewith the offset teeth 29 and 30 on the magazine arm 2 to limit themovement of the operating arm I away from the magazine arm 2. Bypressing inwardly on outwardly extendingtabs T at the bottom of clips 65and 68, the teeth 69 and ID will be moved out of alinement with theteeth 29 and 30, respectively, and the operating arm I may be movedabout the pintles 4a and 4b awayfrom the magazine arm 2. The slopingedges of the teeth 23, 33, 39, and I are beveled so that they wiilknlfeby each other when the arm I is swung into operating position.

Notches m and min guides 33 and 34, notches m ,arm I and is securedthereto by counter-sunk screws or other suitable fastening means. Thehandle H is preferably formed of transparent material. A card 12 bearingindicia is inserted between the top of the arm I and the handle II. Thiscard is of course interchangeable, and a card with appropriate insigniaand indicia may be used as desired. The card is viewed through thehandlewhich protects it from deterioration. The handle ll, however, maybe made of other materials which produce a smooth surface and attractiveappearance.

With the device positioned on a desk, and the base arm 3 restingflat'th'ereon, to drive and clinch staples it is only necessary to applyforce to the top of the operating or presser arm I or handle II. Thefirst action merely compresses both the operating arm I and the magazinearm 2 against the top of material inserted between the magazine arm andthe anvil 5. Further compression causes the operating arm I to movedownwardly relative to the magazine 2, thus forcing th'e staple drivingblade 59 against the bridge of a staple, ejecting it downwardly betweenthe wall 24 and the forward end of the core 23, whereby its legs arecaused to pierce the materialand be bent over in the clinching cavitiesformed in the top of the anvil 5. To "assure this action the spring 20has less effective compressive force than the two springs 55 and 56.When pressure is released the operating arm I is moved relatively awayfrom the-operating arm 2, and both of these arms are moved upwardly fromthe baselarm 3 to assume the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. Therelative movement between the arms I and 2 is limited by the engagementbetween the upper edges of the projections 21 and;28 and the top of thearm I in the down direction, and the engagement between the offset teeth29 and 30 and the teeth 69 and in the up'direction. The total relativemovement is suflicient to permit the edge of the driving blade to move adistance sufilciently in excess of the over-all length of the legs ofthe staples adapted for use in the machine to completely drive the sameone by one from the magazine.

In the event that a staple is jammed, and it is necessary to obtainaccess to the interior of the magazine arm 2, it is only necessary tocompress the tabsT. thereby disengaging the teeth 69 and III from theteeth 23 and 30. whereupon the operating arm may be moved about theplntles 4a and 4b upwardly and away from the magazine arm 2. Upon movingthe operating arm I into operative relation with the magazine arm 3, thedriver blade 53 is guided by the beveled portions 31 and 33 on theguides 33 and and the beveled portion B on the edge of the forward wall24. The beveled sloping portions on the teeth 23, 33, 63 and III guidethose teeth laterally past each other until snapped into alinement bythe action of the spring 34.

The staple follower mechanism, shown in Figures 2 and 3, is held inplace by the retaining bracket 44. However, it may be moved for= wardlyandrearwardly of the magazine arm. When the follower rod is grasped bythe handle 49 and pulled outwardly of the magazine arm 2, theforce-transmission blocks 48, normally on the upper leg of the rod 43,are forcibly moved around the inner curved end to the lower leg thereof.This action. of the force-transmission blocks positively moves thefollower 45 rearwardly along the lower leg of the rod 43. As that roditself is also being moved rearwardly, the distance moved by thefollower 45 is substantially double that of the distance moved by therod 43 as can be seen by comparing Fig. 2 with Fig. 15. Hence thefollower 45 is moved clear of the rear ends of the guides 33 and 34 whenthe follower rod has been moved the full limit permitted by theengagement between its inner end and the retaining bracket 44. In thisposition the rear end of the follower rod 43 may be swung upwardly aboutthe pivotal connection established between the rod and the retainingbracket 44, an amount suflicient to raise the follower 45 out of theloading path of staples being inserted on the core 23. When moved inthis position the sleeve 41 is forced into and is clasped by the springclamp 51. The sleeve 41 is slid to position in alinement with the clamp51 when the rod 43 is completely retracted by the balanc ing action ofboth parts of spring 46. In this position there is no variablecompressive force reacting on the larger portion of this spring andsubstantially exact positioning of the sleeve 41 is always obtained. Thefollower 45 and the follower rod 43 are held in this raised position sothat the operator may readily insert the staples on the core 23. Whenstaples have been inserted on the core the rear end of the follower 43is I moved downwardly, disengaging the connection between the sleeve 41and the clamp 51, and the handle 43 is moved inwardly until the tooth 5|snaps into engagement with the notch 52. During this action the follower45 is prevented from forward movement by engagement with the rearmost ofthe clip staples inserted on the core 23. This compresses the followerspring 43 in both its upper and lower legs and it continually urgesstaples forwardly along the core 23 into position underneath the drivingblade 59. When the rod 43 is in the fully inserted position, there issufficient space on the upper leg of the rod 43 and the curved forwardportion to accommodate all of the force-transmissionblocks 43, therebypermitting the spring 43 to urge the follower 45 forwardly to theforward end of the core 23, thereby assuring the positioning of the laststaple beneath the driving blade59. In the case of the staple followermechanism shown in Figures 7 to 13 inclusive, the follower rod I5 may begrasped by the handle 86 and disengaged from its connection with thecore 23 and moved rearwardly of the magazine. when the staple followerIi approaches the loading end of the magazine the outer ends of the pin13 will be engaged by the curved slots 99a and 33b. Further rearwardmovement of the follower rod I and its associated staple follower isthen confined to an upwardly pivotal sliding motion until it assumes theposition shown in Figure 13. In

this position the staple follower 13 will be clear of the core 23,permitting ready access to the magazine for the purpose of insertingstaples therein. The ends'of the pin it will be frictionally engaged bythe inwardly tensioned tongues ilila and lOlb and held in the uppermostend of the slots. In this position clockwise rotation of the rod 13about the pivot pin 18 is prevented by the engagement between theabutments Nile and llilb with the top forward edges of the staplefollower 18. When the magazine has been loaded it is only necessary forthe-operator to force the arm downwardly against the frictionalengagement of the spring tongues Iota and lflllb until the pin 18 hasassumed a position sufllciently below the abutments llila and Nb topermit the staple follower 76 and rod 13 to move in a clockwise positionwith the core-straddling portion of the follower resting on the core 23.When the rod 15 is in a substantially horizontal position, the feedermechanism may be urged forwardly into the magazine. As the staplefollower engages with the rearmost staple its forward action will bearrested. The rod 15, however, is urged in its full'extent, thuscompressing the spring 33 between the'follower I8 and the curved end ofthe follower rod 15. When the rod 15 is inserted its proper length, thetooth 81 is latched in position on the notch 52.

In order to remove the follower mechanism entirely from the magazine itis only necessary to remove the pivot pin 13 in the manner heretoforedescribed. With the pivot pin removed, the follower will readily slidebetween the inwardly offset portions at the rear of the staple guides 33and 34, and the entire rod, spring, and follower assembly can be removedfrom the magazine as is illustrated in Figure 12.

The flanges H and IS on the supporting bracket I2 are of suflicientheight so that the ends of the operating arm I and magazine arm 2, andthe handle 49 (when the follower rod is fully inserted), may readilyclear the base arm 2 as the arms I and 2 are swung away from the basearm 3 about the pintles 4a and 4b. With the base arm 3 swung 180 degreesaway from the arms I and 2, these arms may be used as a unit, and thedevice operated as a tacker device. That is, the staples are driven intomaterial without clinching the legs, the action of the anvil 5 beingeliminated. In other respects the device acts in identically the samemanner as when the staples are being clinched as heretofore described.

If it is desired to operate the device as a plier type stapler, thedevice may be grasped in the hand of the operator, the fingersencircling the narrow portion of the base arm 3 and the handle llresting in the palm of the hand between the fingers and the thumb.Merely squeezing the hand causes the material to be clamped between thearm 2 andthe anvil 5. Further squeezing causes the arm I to drive thestaple through the clinch the legs thereof against the arm 2 withpressed-out portions I3 at the lower rear of the sides 23 and 23',respectively. These pressed-out portions have a sliding fit with thelower inner sides of the flanges i4 and ii of the supporting bracket l2,thereby providing a guide to assure the proper alinement between theejection chute and the cavities in the anvil 5.

Although there are shown and described certain specific embodiments ofthe invention, many modifications thereof-are possible. The invention isnot to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the priorart and by the spirit of the appended claims. 1

I claim:

1. In a magazine for staples, a staple follower, an endless follower roduponwhich said follower is slidably mounted, a retaining bracket in saidmagazine through which said follower rod is slidable, a compressionspring on said follower rod reacting between one side of said followerand said bracket, and a series of blocksslidably po sitioned on said rodbetween the other side of said follower and said bracket wherebyrelative movement of said bracket with respect to said rod in onedirection will cause movement of said follower relative to said rod inan opposite direction.

2. In a magazine for staples, a staple follower, a two leg follower rod,the forward ends of said legs being connected by a curved connectingportion, said follower beingslidably'carried by one of said legs, aretaining bracket in said magazine, the other of said legs beingslidably held by said bracket, resilient means for urging said followerforwardly along its support leg, and flexible positive compressiveforce'transmission means positioned on said legs and connecting portionand transmitting force between said bracket and said follower wherebyrearward movement of said follower rod causes said foli lower to moverearwardly along its leg against the force of said resilient means.

3. In a magazine for staples, a follower rod supported in said magazineand adapted to be partially withdrawn therefrom, a staple followerslidable on said rod, means for urging said follower forwardly on saidrod, and positive motion transmission means acting between said magazineand said follower to urge said follower rearwardly along said rod assaid rod is withdrawn from the magazine.

4. In a magazine forstaples, a follower rod supported in said magazineand adapted to be partially withdrawn therefrom, a staple followerslidable on said rod, means for urging said follower forwardly on saidrod, force'transmission means acting between said magazine and saidfollower to urge said follower rearwardly along 7 said rod untilwithdrawn from said magazine as said rod is partially withdrawn fromsaid magazine, said rod being tiltable when partially withdrawn to raisesaid follower to provide access to said magazine, and a clip on saidmagazine adapted to hold said follower rod and said staple follower insaid raised out of the way position.

5. In a stapling machine magazine, a follower rod, a retaining bracketfor slidably holding said rod, said bracket being of inverted U shape incross section and having inwardly turned portions on its lower edges,and tongue-like locks on said magazine over which said bracket may beforced so as to frlctionally hold the same in place.

6. In a magazine for staples, a feeder mechanism comprising a followerrod, a staple follower slidably carried by said rod, spring means tourge said follower along said rod, and a sliding pivotal connectionbetween said rod' and said magazine whereby said rod may be slidpartially out of said magazine and pivoted upwardly to effect removal ofsaid follower from said magazine.

7. In a magazine for staples, a feeder mechanism comprising a followerrod having a curved end, a staple follower slidably carried by said rod,and spring means to urge said follower along said rod, said means actingaround said curved ,rod, and means for urging said follower along saidrod, said follower having 'a pivot pin adapted to engage with said slotto retain said follower and rod in connected relationship with saidmagazine while permitting said follower to be swun upwardly and out ofsaid magazine.

10. A magazine for staples having at its loading end an upwardly curvedslot, frictional means associated with said slot, a follower rod forsaid magazine, a staple follower slidable on said rod, and means forurging said follower along said rod, said follower having a pivot pin.adapted to engage with said slot and said frictional means.

ll. A magazine for staples having at its loading end an upwardly curvedslot, frictional means associated with said slot, a follower rod forsaid magazine, a staple follower slidable on said rod, means for urgingsaid follower along said rod, said follower having a pivot pin adaptedto en i gage with said slot and said frictional means,

and an abutment on said magazine adapted to engage said follower to holdsaid follower and follower rod in connection with said frictional meansin staple-receiving position out of said magazine.

12. A magazine for staples having curved slots at its 1oading end,feeder mechanism in said magazine comprising a follower rod, follower,and means for urging said follower along said rod, a pivot pin for saidfollower having extended ends adapted to engage with said slots, meansfor holding said pin in position relative to said follower, and cut-outsin the walls of said magazine adapted to be alined with said pin wherebysaid pin may be removed from said follower and said magazine to permitremoval of said within said curved end.

14. A magazine for staples, feeder mechanism comprising a follower rodhaving a curved end, a staple follower slidably carried by said rod,means to urge said follower along said rod, said means extending aroundsaid curved end, and a handle for said curved end comprising twooppositely related shell-like parts having inwardly projecting centralportions adapted to fit loosely within said curved end, said handlehaving a tooth adapted to engagewith said magazine whereby said rod ismaintained in position therein.

15. A staple feeder mechanism comprising a bar, a. follower slidablymounted on said bar, means for propelling said follower along said bar,a handle for said bar,said propelling means cooperating with said handleand said bar to position and 'hold said handle on said bar in a saidmeans while permitting said means to be slidable therethrough.

17. A magazine for staples having at its loading end an upwardly curvedslot, a notch formed at the upper outer end of said slot, a follower rodfor said magazine, a staple follower slidable on said rod, means forurging said follower along said rod, said follower having a pivot pinadapted to engage with said slot and with said notch, and an abutment onsaid magazine adapted to cooperate with said notch to hold said followerand follower rod in a staple-receiving position out of said magazine.

18. A magazine for staples havingat its loading end an upwardly curvedslot, a follower rod for said magazine, a staple follower slidable onsaid rod, means for urging said follower along said rod, said followerhaving a pivot pin adapted to engage with said slot, locking meansrelated with said slot, and abutment means associated with said lockingmeans and adapted to engage and hold said follower and follower rod instaple-receiving position out of said mag- ,azine.

19. In a staple machine having amagazine for staples, a feeder mechanismadapted to be received therein including a follower and means for urgingsaid follower forwardly in said magazine, said mechanism being slidablyand pivotally associated with said magazine, and means for withdrawingsaid follower from said magazine while retaining a connection betweensaid mechanism and said magazine.

20. In a magazine for staples, a staple feeding mechanism including afollower adapted to urge the staples forwardly in said magazine, saidmechanism being slidably mounted with respect to said magazine, andmeans operative between said magazine and said mechanism whereby as saidmechanism is moved rearwardly of said magazine said follower is causedto move rearwardly at a greater speed than said mechanism.

G. PAN'KONIN.

